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Abstract:

A child-resistant container including a container body (10), a lid (24),
and at least one resilient tab (110) is provided. The lid is pivotable
about an axis through a hinge (26) joining the lid to the container body
to open and close the container. The resilient tab has a proximal portion
fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting from the lid, and at least
one abutment (109) on the distal portion. The abutment on the distal
portion of the tab is normally biased into engagement with an abutment
(118) on the container body when the lid is in its closed position. The
distal portion of the tab is displaceable against the bias to disengage
the abutment of the tab from the abutment of the container. Displacement
of the tab releases the lid so that it can be pivoted about the hinge to
open the container.

Claims:

1. A child-resistant container comprising: (a) a container body
comprising a mouth and a downward-facing abutment; (b) a lid having a
proximal portion mounted in pivotable relation to the container body by a
hinge and a distal portion pivotable between a seated position, wherein
the lid covers the mouth, and a raised position, wherein the mouth is at
least in part exposed; (c) at least one resilient tab having a proximal
portion fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting from the lid, and
at least one upward-facing abutment on the distal portion, the
upward-facing abutment being normally biased at least partly beneath and
into engagement with the downward-facing abutment of the container body
when the lid is seated, thus latching the lid closed; and (d) the distal
portion of the resilient tab being displaceable against its bias to
disengage the upward facing abutment from the downward-facing abutment,
thereby allowing the distal portion of the lid to be pivoted about the
hinge to open the container.

2. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the tab projects
perpendicularly downward from the lid when the lid is in its sealed
position.

3. The child-resistant container of claim 2, wherein the container body
includes a shield that at least partially blocks access to the tab.

4. The child-resistant container of claim 2, wherein the distal portion
of the lid has a front edge and the tab is positioned on the lid such
that the front edge extends beyond the tab.

5. The child-resistant container of claim 4, wherein the container body
includes a guard that projects outwardly from the container body beneath
the front edge of the lid and defines an area that is sized and shaped
such that the front edge of the lid is within the area defined by the
guard.

6. The child-resistant container of claim 5, wherein the guard is
integral with the container.

7. The child-resistant container of claim 6, wherein the downward-facing
abutment is on the guard.

8. The child-resistant container of claim 7, wherein at least a portion
of the guard is deflectable toward the tab to cause displacement of the
tab against its bias.

9. The child-resistant container of claim 1, wherein the lid and the
mouth form a seal.

10. The child-resistant container of claim 9, wherein the lid and the
mouth form a resealable seal.

11. The child-resistant container of claim 9, wherein the lid and the
mouth form a moisture-tight seal.

12. The child-resistant container of claim 9, wherein the lid includes a
sealing plug that fits into the mouth to form the seal.

13. A child-resistant container comprising: (a) a container body
comprising a mouth and a downward-facing abutment; (b) a lid having a
proximal portion mounted in pivotable relation to the container body by a
hinge and a distal portion pivotable between a seated position, wherein
the lid covers the mouth, and a raised position, wherein the mouth is at
least in part exposed; (c) at least one resilient tab having a proximal
portion fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting downward from the
lid when the lid is in its seated position, and at least one
upward-facing abutment on the distal portion, the upward-facing abutment
being normally biased at least partly beneath and into engagement with
the downward-facing abutment on the container body when the lid is
seated, thus latching the lid closed; (d) the distal portion of the
resilient tab being displaceable against its bias to disengage the
upward-facing abutment from the downward-facing abutment, thereby
allowing the distal portion of the lid to be pivoted about the hinge to
open the container.

14. The child-resistant container of claim 13 wherein the distal portion
of the lid has a front edge and the tab is positioned on the lid such
that the front edge extends beyond the tab.

15. The child-resistant container of claim 14, wherein the container body
includes a guard that projects outwardly from the container body beneath
the front edge of the lid and defines an area that is sized and shaped
such that the front edge of the lid is within the area defined by the
guard.

16. The child-resistant container of claim 15, wherein the
downward-facing abutment is on the guard.

17. The child-resistant container of claim 16, wherein the guard includes
at least one deformable portion which, when deformed, causes displacement
of the tab against its bias.

18. The child-resistant container of claim 17, wherein the guard includes
at least one push rod positioned on the deformable portion to bear
against the tab when the deformable portion is deformed.

19. The child-resistant container of claim 15, wherein the
downward-facing abutment comprises a rib that extends downwardly from the
guard.

20. The child-resistant container of claim 19, wherein the container body
includes a shield that at least partially blocks access to the tab.

[0002] The present technology relates to containers having child safety
features, and more particularly, to a container and lid assembly that has
child safety features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Containers provided with child safety features are well known in
the art, particularly in North America, for packaging pharmaceutical
products. The child safety feature is also referred to as a Child
Resistant Closure (CRC). In general, a child resistant closure must be
effective with children under 5-years old and be generally user friendly
for users over 50-years old, particularly with users over 60-years old.
The US government has established a CR protocol to the evaluate
effectiveness of closures. Child Resistant Protocol testing is defined
under CFR Title 16, Part 1700 by the Food and Drug Administration. Most
of the prior art CRC features employ a separate cap and container, which
are distinct from each other. It is desirable to provide a unitary
container and cap assembly that has child safety features. Since the cap
and container are unitary, that is, in some way attached to one another,
the cap cannot be misplaced when the container is opened.

[0004] Small containers provide a minimum of area for the user to grasp
the lid, manipulate the CR feature and open the lid. It would be
desirable to provide a child resistant feature that can operate within a
minimum area, making the feature suitable for use with small containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] One aspect of the present technology is directed to a
child-resistant container including a container body, a lid, and a
resilient tab. The container body has a mouth that provides access to the
interior of the container body. A downward-facing abutment is provided on
or attached to the container body. In one embodiment, the abutment is
integral with and projects out from the sidewall of the container body.
In another embodiment, the abutment can be formed in a separate part,
such as an outer cap, attached to the container body.

[0006] The lid can be a flip-top lid or other construction having a
proximal portion mounted in pivotable relation to the container body by a
hinge and a distal portion. In an embodiment, the lid is an insert joined
by the hinge to an outer cap that in turn is mounted on the container
body. In another embodiment, the lid can be hinged directly to the
container body. The distal portion of the lid is pivotable between a
seated position, wherein the lid covers the mouth, and a raised position,
wherein the mouth is at least in part exposed.

[0007] In one embodiment, the lid includes at least one resilient tab
having a proximal portion fixed to the lid, a distal portion projecting
from the lid, and at least one upward-facing abutment on the distal
portion. The upward-facing abutment is normally biased at least partly
beneath and into engagement with the downward-facing abutment on the
container body when the lid is seated, thus latching the lid closed. The
distal portion of the resilient tab is displaceable against its bias to
disengage the upward facing abutment from the downward-facing abutment.
This displacement of the distal portion of the resilient tab releases the
distal portion of the lid to be pivoted about the hinge to open the
container.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment, an abutment is provided on or
attached to the lid, rather than the container body, and the resilient
tab is provided on the container body rather than the lid. In this
embodiment, the tab has a downward-facing abutment on the distal portion
of the tab that is normally biased into engagement with the abutment on
the lid, which is upward-facing. Displacement of the distal portion of
the resilient tab releases the lid.

[0009] Another aspect of the invention is a unitary (or one-piece)
container that incorporates a tab feature as a child resistant mechanism.
The tab mechanism restricts the movement of a flip-top lid. The lid is
opened by deflecting the tab back (toward the back of the container) so
that the tab is free from a catch feature on the container body that
prevents the lid from being opened. With the tab being held in a
deflected position, the lid can be rotated or flipped open.

[0010] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a unitary container
that has a moisture-tight seal between the cap portion and the container
portion, and incorporates a resealable mechanism to maintain the
moisture-tight properties. The resealable mechanism can be created by the
interference of the flip-top lid to the body of the container. Another
embodiment of a resealable mechanism is a sealing plug extending
downwardly from the underside, or closure side, of the flip-top lid and
sized and configured to fit within the container opening when the
flip-top lid is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap and flip-top lid assembly
of an embodiment of the invention, showing the lid in closed position and
the tab feature in an engaged position.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap and flip-top lid assembly
of an embodiment of the invention, showing the lid in open position.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the
invention, showing the lid open.

[0019]FIG. 9 is an isolated partial perspective view of the lid of FIGS.
3-5.

[0020]FIG. 10 is an isolated partial perspective view of the embodiments
of FIGS. 3-5.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing another embodiment
having an additional shield for the tab.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 6, showing another
embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the tab shown in FIG. 12.

[0024]FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment similar to the embodiment of
FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025]FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 14,
further including a bow member connecting the two side tabs.

[0026]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment
of the child-resistant container in an open position.

[0027]FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the container in a
closed position.

[0028]FIG. 18 is a front view of the container illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0029]FIG. 19 is an isolated side view showing another embodiment of the
child-resistant feature.

[0030]FIG. 20 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
child-resistant container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The container of the present technology has at least two parts,
formed integrally or separately: (1) a container body and (2) a cap that
incorporates a flip-top lid. The container body is initially formed with
an open mouth through which product may be introduced into the container.
After the container is filled with product, the cap is inserted into or
over the open mouth end of the container to close the mouth of the
container. In the case of separately formed parts where the cap is
inserted into the open mouth end, an opening in the cap provides access
to the product within the container.

[0032] When the parts are separate, preferably the cap is permanently
fixed to the interior wall of the container body after the container is
filled, thereby rendering the container body and cap into a unitary
container. The cap may be permanently fixed to the container body by any
suitable manner known in the art. For example, the cap and the container
body may be sized so as to provide a friction fit for the cap.
Alternatively the cap may be permanently attached via a mechanical snap.
Although it is preferable to permanently fix the cap to the container
body after the container is filled with product, it will be appreciated
by those of skill in the art that such permanent fixture may not be
necessary.

[0033] A lid is attached to the cap and covers the cap opening to prevent
product from being removed. To access the product, the lid portion of the
cap is flipped open to reveal the opening in the cap.

[0034] A flexible component, or tab is incorporated into the lid portion
of the cap. When the lid is in the closed position, the tab engages a
notch-feature, including a catch, formed on the container body that
prevents the lid from being opened. One or more tabs may be used to
secure the lid. Alternatively, the tab can be attached to the container
body. The tab then engages a catch incorporated into the lid to prevent
the lid from being opened. The term "tab" is broadly defined herein to
include any projecting member having a deflectable portion.

[0035] The tab is designed to be flexible. To open the lid, the tab is
deflected or moved in a direction away or opposite from the notch feature
or catch on the container or the lid so that the tab can be moved past
the catch. Once the tab is clear of the catch, the lid can be flipped
open to access the product in the container.

[0036] The container and cap are typically made of a polymer material that
provides adequate protection for the product packaged in the container.
The container and cap do not need to be made from the same polymer
material. Depending on the requirements of the pharmaceutical product,
barrier materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene vinyl acetate,
polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly vinylidene chloride may be used. In
another embodiment, non-barrier materials may also be used. Non-barrier
thermoplastic materials include polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester
terephthalate, polybutylene, metallocene catalyzed polyolefins and poly
maleic anhydride.

[0037] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a
container 10, useful as a pill bottle, for example. The container 10 has
a container wall 12, the upper end of which forms a rim 14. At least one
notch 16 is formed into the rim 14 and includes a catch 18 for receiving
a child resistant tab 30, as will be explained in more detail below.
Preferably, a notch 16, including a catch 18, is formed into the rim on
each side of the container, with each notch receiving a tab 30.

[0038] A cap 20 is inserted into the upper or mouth end of the container
10 and is preferably permanently fixed to the container to create a
unitary container structure. The cap 20 has an opening 22 (See FIG. 2),
which provides access to the product. A lid 24 is joined to the cap 20 by
a hinge 26 which may be, for example, an integral hinge. The lid 24
overlies the opening 22 to retain product within the container.

[0039] The lid 24 is provided with at least one and, as shown in FIG. 2,
preferably two flexible tab elements 30, which extend perpendicularly
outwardly from each side of the lid. As best shown in FIG. 1, when the
lid is in the closed position, each tab element 30 is seated into a notch
16 in the rim of the container and is retained in the notch 16 by the
catch 18. The retaining of each tab element by each notch 18 locks the
lid in place, preventing a child from accessing the contents of the
container.

[0040] The tab elements 30 are flexible and can be flexed or moved toward
the back of the container in a direction away from the catch 18. To
unlock or release the lid, the tab elements 30 are moved away from the
catches 18 until they are clear from the catches. Once the tab elements
30 clear the catches, the lid can be rotated about an axis through the
hinge 26 to flip open the lid, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the container is also
moisture-tight and includes a resealable mechanism to maintain the
moisture tight properties. A permanent moisture-tight seal is preferably
formed between the cap 20 and the interior of the container wall 12. The
lid 24 is also provided with a sealing plug (shown in the FIG. 9
embodiment at 23), which is sized and configured to provide an
interference fit with the opening 22 and form a moisture-tight seal.
Preferably, the sealing plug is integrally molded as part of the lid 24.
The sealing plug allows the container to be moisture tight as well as
resealable.

[0042] The term "resealable" means that the container can be
opened/reopened and closed or reclosed a numerous amount of times (e.g.
more than 5 times) and still retain its moisture-tight properties. The
term "moisture tight" means the moisture ingress of the container was
less than about 1500 micrograms/day of water, determined by the following
test method: (a) place approximately one gram of molecular sieve in the
container and record the weight; (b) close the resealable mechanism; (c)
place the sealed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of
80% relative humidity and 72° F.; (d) after one day, weigh the
container containing the molecular sieve; (e) after approximately two
weeks, weigh the container; and (f) subtract the first day sample from
the value obtained and divide by the number of days to calculate the
moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water.

[0043] In some embodiments, a seal need not be formed, nor is an
interference fit essential in some instances, depending on the product
intended for the container.

[0044] For some embodiments it may be desirable to have a force required
to raise the lid 24 so that the lid can not easily be pushed up with just
a finger or fingers moving the tab or tabs past the catch. A force of
approximately 10 N encourages two-handed operation and is more difficult
for a child to overcome. The additional force for raising the lid can be
built into the container by, for example, providing an interference fit
between the sealing plug on the lid (see FIG. 9) and the opening into the
container, or providing an interference fit or mechanical snap between
the lid and the cap.

[0045] Another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 9-11,
has tabs that extend perpendicularly downward from the side edges of the
lid when the lid is in its closed position. A feature or ring of the
container protrudes from the front of the container that is a similar
shape to the lid, but larger than the lid and such that the lid nests in
the feature. When in the closed position, the tabs engage the underside
of the protrusion, securing the lid. In order to release the lid, the
tabs are deflected inward, away from the protrusion so that they no
longer are engaged. The tabs can be connected together by a spring that
acts to hold the tabs in position and permits the force needed to release
the lid to be adjusted. When the tabs are deflected inward, the lid can
be rotated open and the container opened. After use, the container can be
closed by simply rotating the lid to the closed position and the tabs are
shaped so that they fit through the protrusion and again engage the
underside, securing the lid.

[0046] Referring in more detail to FIGS. 3-5, the child-resistant
container 40 includes a lid 24 and a resilient tab, here a pair of tabs
42 and 44. The container 40 may have a generally cylindrical neck 46,
here the entire body of the container, alternatively the container may
have the reduced-diameter neck of a bottle or jug. In an embodiment the
neck defines the top of the container 40. The container 40 has a mouth
48. A downward-facing abutment, in this case the abutments 50 and 52, is
provided on or attached to the container. In an embodiment, the abutments
50 and 52 are integral with and project out from the neck 46. Here, a
ring or guard 54 defines the abutments 50 and 52. In another embodiment,
one or more abutments can be formed in a separate part, such a cap,
attached to the container.

[0047] The lid 24 in an embodiment can be a flip-top lid or other
construction having a proximal portion 60 mounted in pivotable relation
to the container by a hinge 62 and a distal portion 64. In an embodiment,
the lid 24 is an insert joined by the hinge 62 to an outer cap 20 that in
turn is mounted on the container 40. In another embodiment, the lid 24
can be hinged directly to the container 40. The distal portion 64 of the
lid 24 is pivotable between a seated position shown in FIG. 4, wherein
the lid 24 covers the mouth 48, and a raised position shown in FIG. 3,
wherein the mouth 48 is at least in part exposed. The lid 24 can be
provided with a vertical protrusion 25 to facilitate lifting the lid 24
to open the container.

[0048] The lid 24 includes at least one resilient tab, here the tabs 42
and 44, having a proximal portion such as 70 fixed to the lid 24, a
distal portion 72 projecting from the lid 24, and at least one
upward-facing abutment 74 on the distal portion 72. The upward-facing
abutment 74 is normally biased at least partly beneath and into
engagement with the downward-facing abutment such as 50 of the container
40 when the lid 24 is seated, thus latching the lid 24 closed. The distal
portion 72 of the resilient tab is displaceable against its bias, as by
pinching the distal portions 72 and 76 of the respective tabs 42 and 44
together, to disengage the upward facing abutments such as 74 from the
downward-facing abutment such as 50. This displacement of the distal
portion of the resilient tabs releases the distal portion 64 of the lid
to be pivoted about the hinge 62 to open the container 40.

[0049] In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 11, the
feature or ring on the container has a depending shield 80 that limits
access to the tabs such as 44. In this embodiment, the tabs such as 44
can only be accessed from the sides, further restricting the way in which
the container can be opened or the ability of a child to see how to open
the container.

[0050] In a further elaboration of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and
9, a spring 82 is provided between the tabs 42 and 44 to stiffen the
tabs, increasing the force needed to pinch them together so they clear
the abutments 50 and 52. Any sort of spring or resilient member can be
used.

[0051] In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8,
one or more tabs 90 having an upwardly facing abutment 92 protrude
perpendicularly downward from the lid 24 when the lid is in its seated
position. The tab is positioned back from the front edge 94 of the lid 24
so that the edge 94 of the lid extends beyond the tab 90.

[0052] A feature of the container, here a guard 55, protrudes from the
side of the container that is a similar shape to the lid 24, but larger
than the lid such that the lid 24 is recessed within the area defined by
the feature when the lid 24 is closed. The tab 90 engages the underside
of a rib, here defined by the rib portions 96 and 98, that is located
within the area defined by the guard 55 protruding from the side of the
container, which secures the lid 24. The rib portions 96 and 98 define a
gap or an opening between them. The undersides of the rib portions 96 and
98, best seen in FIG. 7, define downward-facing abutments. The rib could
also be provided in one piece with an aperture through it, though the
illustrated construction may be easier to mold.

[0053] The guard 55 can be deformed inward. There is a mating rib or push
rod 100 on the deformable portion 102 (the part the deforms need not be
the part from which the rod 100 extends) that fits through the gap or
opening between the rib portions 96 and 98, or through an aperture of a
one-piece rib, and is positioned to bear against the tab 90 to deform the
tab 90 inward when the deformable portion 102 is deflected inward.

[0054] To open the container, the guard 55 is displaced toward the body of
the container, which translates the mating rib 100 inward along its axis
through the opening between the rib portions 96 and 98, deflecting the
tab 90 so that its upward facing abutment 92 no longer engages the rib
portions 96 and 98. At the same time as the guard 55 is displaced, the
underside or edge 94 of the lid is being exposed, allowing the edge 94 to
be lifted with a thumb or finger so the lid 24 can be rotated upward,
opening the container.

[0055] After use, the container can be closed by simply rotating the lid
to the closed position and the tab(s) are shaped so that they fit through
the protrusion or guard 55 and again engage the underside, securing the
lid.

[0056]FIG. 10 is a detail view of a child-resistant feature similar to
that of FIGS. 3-4.

[0057] Another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, has
one or more tabs 110 that protrude perpendicularly downwardly from the
lid 24 when the lid is in its closed position. The tab 110 is positioned
back from the front edge 94 of the lid 24 so that the edge 94 of the lid
24 extends beyond the tab 110. A feature or guard 56 of the container
protrudes from the sidewall of the container and is similar in shape to
the lid 24, but larger than the lid such that the lid is within the area
defined by the guard 56. The tab 110 has an upward facing abutment 109
that engages the underside of a rib 112 that extends downwardly from the
guard 56, which secures the lid 24. The bottom of the rib 112 is a
downward-facing abutment. To open the container, the tab 110 is displaced
rearward by deflecting its distal portion 114 inward so that the
upward-facing abutment 109 no longer engages the rib 112. It will be
appreciated that a shield, similar to the shield illustrated in FIG. 11,
could be provided to at least partially block or restrict access to the
tab 110 to further limit the way in which the container can be opened.

[0058] After use, the container can be closed by simply rotating its lid
to the closed position, and the tab(s) are shaped so that they fit
through the guard 56 and again engage the underside of the rib 112,
securing the lid.

[0059] In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 14, the
notches 16 are undercut to the rear, instead of forward, but otherwise
the construction is similar to FIGS. 1-2, and corresponding reference
characters are provided. The container wall covers the front edge of the
lid so that there is no exposed edge. The tabs 30, of which there
optionally are two, protrude beyond the wall of the container. To open
the container, the tabs are first deflected away from the undercut part
of the notch 16. While holding the tabs in this position, the lid 24 can
be rotated upward so that the tabs 30 clear the notches.

[0060] After use the container can be closed by simply rotating the lid 24
to the closed position. The tabs 30 and notches 16 are shaped so that as
the lid is closed, the tab is deflected past the undercut of the notch 16
and then snaps into the undercut when the lid 24 is completely closed.

[0061] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 15, which is similar to the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the two side tabs 30 are connected
together by a bow 120 such that a handle is formed to assist in pulling
the side tabs 30 forward from a single point. The bow 120 can at the same
time be lifted to open the lid 24.

[0062] Another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 16-18 and
similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, has an abutment 115
protruding from the outer wall of the container. The abutment 115
includes a catch 118 for receiving the tab 110 which extends
perpendicularly from the lid 24. The tab 110 includes an abutment 109
that engages the catch 118 to secure the lid 24 to the container. The
abutment 115 on the container also includes a shield portion 116 that at
least partially covers the tab 110 when the tab is engaged with the catch
118 to limit access to the tab 110.

[0063] To open the container, the tab 110 is flexed or moved back toward
the container so that the abutment 109 no longer engages the catch 118.
Once the abutment 109 clears the catch 118, the lid can be rotated upward
about an axis through the hinge 26 to flip open the lid, as shown in FIG.
16. After use, the container can be closed by rotating the lid 24 back to
its closed position. The tab 110 is shaped so that as the lid 24 is
closed, the abutment 109 again engages the catch 118.

[0064] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 19, the outer wall of the
container has an abutment 130 that has a flexible portion and a catch
134. The tab 110 extends perpendicularly downward from the lid and, in
this embodiment, is provided with a latch 136. The container is opened by
first partially lifting the lid 24 so that the latch 136 of the lid
engages catch 134 on the abutment. In this position when the abutment 130
is deflected inward, a rib 138 engages a step 140 on the tab and
displaces the entire tab. This causes the latch 136 to be moved away from
the catch 134, releasing the tab. The lid can be rotated about an axis
through the hinge 26 to lip open the lid.

[0065] Another embodiment of a child-resistant container is illustrated in
FIG. 20. In this embodiment, the container body 150 is provided with a
resilient tab element 152. The tab 152 is joined at its proximal end 154
to the container body, and has an upwardly extending distal portion 156
that is provided with a downward-facing abutment 158.

[0066] A lid 160 is joined to the container and has a raised portion 162
that at least partially covers the tab when the tab is in its closed and
engaged position. Preferably, the raised portion has an open-faced
half-dome shape, although other designs could be employed. Within the
raised portion is a rib or catch which receives the downward-facing
abutment 158 of the tab 152 to secure the lid 160 to the container body.
In order to protect the tab from accidental release and to restrict
access to the tab, a shield 164 is mounted on the container body such
that the shield overlies at least a portion of the tab 152.

[0067] To open the container, the distal portion 156 of the tab 152 is
deflected toward the container so that the downward-facing abutment of
the tab moves into the domed area of the lid and clears the catch. Once
the tab clears the catch, the lid can be lifted up to access the
container.

[0068] The invention has now been described in such full, clear, concise
and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it
pertains to practice the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing
describes preferred embodiments and examples of the invention, and that
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.